[Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
Lively, fun recreation games that get elementary school kids excited! Whether in the classroom or the gym, there are plenty of activities that bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
Here, we’ll introduce fun ideas ranging from team-versus-team cooperative games and brain-teasing hiragana quizzes to active ball tag—everything from no-equipment options to games you can enjoy with simple prep.
These games help deepen friendships and reveal new sides of each other, so be sure to enjoy your time with friends through play!
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Crafting and Creative Handmade Games (1–10)
Stacking Game
A simple game that anyone can play anywhere: stacking coins.
It doesn’t have to be coins—you can stack Othello pieces or parts from other board games in turn.
Decide the order, stack one piece at a time, and whoever knocks the stack over loses.
If you set a penalty game in advance, everyone will try hard not to topple it, which makes it really exciting.
Since all you do is stack, it’s a game that everyone—from small children to adults—can enjoy together!
Balloon Trampoline
Only two materials! Here’s an idea for a balloon trampoline.
The bouncy, springy feeling of a trampoline excites both kids and adults, doesn’t it? This time, let’s play with a DIY trampoline.
All you need is a large vacuum/compression storage bag and balloons.
Inflate the balloons and pack them into the storage bag.
Seal the bag, compress it, and you’re done! A balloon-made trampoline is colorful and sure to capture kids’ attention!
Improvisation, Creativity, and DIY-Style Games (11–20)
balloon volleyball
Let’s have fun moving our bodies! Here are some ideas for balloon volleyball.
Volleyball is a sport where two teams face off across a net, hitting the ball back and forth to score points.
This time, all you need is a single balloon.
You can even find them at 100-yen shops these days, so it’s easy to prepare.
The way to play is simple: two or more people face each other and tap the balloon with their hands to keep a rally going.
Once you get used to it, try counting out loud or playing a word-chain game (shiritori) while you rally.
Paper Plate Balance Game
Let me introduce a guaranteed crowd-pleasing, handmade recreation activity you can make and play with elementary school kids: the Paper Plate Balance Game.
Paint a paper plate in four colors—red, yellow, blue, and green—and attach capsule toy containers or paper cups underneath to create an unstable balancing base.
The rules use two kinds of dice: one regular number die and a special die with “colors” and faces like “x2” and “x3.” Players take turns placing small counters (like marbles or flat game pieces) according to the color and number rolled.
If you upset the balance and make pieces fall, you lose.
It’s easy to make, and a fun idea game that nurtures dexterity, concentration, and creativity.
Bound Shiritori
Shiritori is a popular game that pretty much everyone has played at least once, right? “Bounce Shiritori” adds a ball-game twist to it.
In this version, you pass the ball to the other person while making it bounce, and the receiver has to answer with a shiritori word whose length matches the number of bounces.
Competing against each other is fun, but you can also play cooperatively by adjusting the number of bounces to make it easier for your partner to answer.
Try using a large, soft ball.
Arithmetic game with both hands
This is a game where you use both hands to show the answer to a given arithmetic expression.
For example, if someone says “What’s 5 + 1?”, you make 6 with your fingers.
You can hold up three fingers on each hand, or five on one hand and one on the other—either is fine.
You’re free to choose, but syncing the answer that pops into your head with your hands is trickier than you’d think.
That’s exactly why it gets so exciting! The rules are simple, so it’s great for helping kids practice math, too.
If you’re the one giving the problems, make sure the answers don’t exceed 10!
Giant karuta
Regular store-bought karuta are great, but making your own “giant karuta” can be a huge hit too.
Plain sections of cardboard work well for the cards.
Just coming up with the phrases for the reading cards and drawing the pictures for the grabbing cards is plenty of fun, so it’s highly recommended.
Small karuta sets are fine, but larger cards require bigger movements to grab, so it turns into good exercise.
You can also take them outside—to a balcony, a riverside, and so on—and play there!
